Shoe rest



May 8, 1934.

F. N. LA CHAPELLE 1,957,604

SHOE REST Filed April 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 WZEMUQ May 193410 FiledApril 1, 1930 F. N. LA CHAPELLE SHOE REST 86 glam I I I I i I I I I I I2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 8, 1934 UNETE STATES PATENT error SHOEREST Application April 1, 1930, Serial No. 440,834

58 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes,and more particularly to shoe-supporting means or shoe rests. Theinvention is herein illustrated in its application to 5 means forsupporting the forepart of a shoe against pressure applied on its bottomface in the lasting of thetoe end of the shoe; but it is to beunderstood that in its more general aspects the invention is not limitedto means for operating on that particular portion of a shoe nor tomachines for lasting shoes.

In some machines for operating on shoes substantial pressure is appliedon the top of the forepart of the shoe, in order to support the shoe inproper position or to cooperate with means for applying pressure on itsbottom face. In toelasting machines, for example, such pressure issometimes applied to maintain the shoe in proper relation to thetoe-lasting wipers and also to support it against the pressure of meansprovided for fastening the upper in lasted position. It is an object ofthis invention to increase the effectiveness of such shoe-supporting orcontrolling means, and at the same time to guard against damage to theshoe by the pressure on the upper. In one aspect the inventionaccordingly provides a novel shoe rest so constructed as to conformaccurately to the contour of the shoe and thus to distribute itspressure over a large portion of 30 the area of the upper while pressinghard against the upper. In the construction herein shown the shoe restcomprises a large number of small metal rods arranged in parallelrelation to one another in a group extending both lengthwise andlaterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top ofthe forepart of the shoe, the rods being relatively movable lengthwisein response to pressure of each shoe thereon to con form tothe contourof the shoe. As illustrated the rods are controlled by a soft rubber padagainst the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable, and acover of thin flexible leather is interposed between them and the shoe.To r render the group of supporting members or rods them against yieldin response to the pressure of the shoe thereon after they haveconformed to the'contour of the shoe. In the construction shown thismeans comprises a device whereby pressure is applied laterally to thegroup of rods to clamp them together and also against a holder in whichthey are mounted, the holder being so controlled as to prevent 'it fromyielding in re-- sponse to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest.

more effective in their control of the shoe, theinvention furtherprovides means for holding In order to render the clamping pressureespecially effective, the rods, as illustrated, are circular incross-section and are arranged in rows with the rods of each row instaggered relation to those of the adjacent row or rows, so that therods have a wedging action on one another as they are pressed together.To maintain the rods in that relation to one another they are confined,as herein shown, in a group having substantially the form of anequilateral triangle, although the invention is not limited to thisparticular arrangement nor to the use of circular rods.

The novel features of the invention, including various novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularlydescribed by reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafterpointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of aportion of a machine in which the invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 shows the novel shoe rest, partly in side elevation and partly insection, with portions of the structure broken away; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

The invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a toe-lasting machineof a type disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,918,274, granted on July 18,1933, upon an application of F. N, La Chapelle and F. C. Eastman,certain features of the shoesupporting mechanism being disclosed ingreater detail in Letters Patent No. 1,882,067, granted on Oct. 11, 1932upon an application of F. C. Eastman. Only such portions of the machine,there fore as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of thisinvention are herein shown and will be described in detail.

The machine includes toe-embracing wipers 10 which are operated to wipethe margin of the upper around the toe inwardly over an insole on thelast and to press it upon the insole, and upperfastening mechanism whichis moved into operative position in front of the edges of the wipers, asillustrated in Fig. 1, this mechanism comprising a member 12 whichserves as a guide for a plurality of fiber pegs and for a plurality ofdrivers 14 which are operated to punch holes through the upper and theinsole and to drive the pegs into the holes to fasten the upper to theinsole. The position of the last and shoe in relation to the lastingmeans is determined in the same manner and by means of the same generalcharacter as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,674,060,granted on June 19, 1928, upon an application of A. F. Pym.

For this purpose the machine is provided with a fixed arm 16 on which issecured a shoe-positioning abutment comprising a plate 18 provided withthree pins 20, only two of which are visible in the drawings, these pinsbeing arranged to project through holes in the insole into socketsformed in metal bushings 22 which are seated in the last. These pinsaccordingly determine the position of the last and shoe with respect tolengthwise and lateral bodily movements and with respect to lateralswinging movement, and in cooperation with the bushings 24 they alsodetermine the plane in which the bottom face of the insole is presentedfor the lasting operation, the lower end faces of the pins engaging thebushings for this purpose, as fully disclosed in the above-mentionedLetters Patent.

For maintaining the last and shoe in the position determined by the pins20 and for supporting it against pressure applied on the bottom of theshoe in the lasting operation, the machine is provided with a shoe restA the construction of which for purposes of the present invention ismore particularly hereinafter described, this shoe rest being arrangedto engage the shoe upper on the top of the forepart and being mounted onthe upper end of a rod 24 which is vertically movable in bearings in theframe of the machine. It will be understood that initially the shoe restis in a lower position than indicated in Fig. l to permit the last andshoe to be mounted on the pins 20, and that it is moved upwardly intosupporting engagement with the shoe. For imparting such upward movementto the shoe rest and its supporting rod 24 there is provided a sleevemember 26 which is slidingly movable on the rod 24 and acts through aspring 28 in engagment with a collar 30 fast on the rod to force theshoe rest yieldingly against the shoe. The sleeve member 26 bears at itsupper end on a collar 32 slidingly mounted on a reduced portion of therod 24 and engaging the lower end of the spring, this collar beingarranged to rest on a shoulder 34 on the rod when the parts are instarting positions. The sleeve member 26 is connected at its oppositesides by links 36 to operating mechanism not herein shown in detail butfully disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,918,274.

In order to hold the shoe rest A against downward movement after it hasbeen moved upwardly into supporting engagement with the shoe, the rod24, as herein illustrated, is controlled by mechanism of the characterdisclosed in detail in Letters Patent No. 1,882,067. This mechanismincludes a member 38 secured on the lower end portion of the rod 24 andprovided with a series of downwardly facing ratchet teeth 40 arranged tocooperate with a plurality of pawls 42 supported on a fixed bracket 44.As illustrated, the pawls are four in number, arranged in upper andlower pairs, and arranged also in staggered relation so that in anyposition assumed by the rod 24 in carrying the shoe rest into engagementwith a shoe some one of the pawls will be positioned in fairly closerelation to the lower end face of one of the ratchet teeth. In order toinsure against the possibility of any downward move ment of the rod 24when pressure is applied on the bottom of the shoe, there is furtherprovided means for controlling the pawls in such manner as to insurethat one of them will be positioned in abutting relation to the lowerend face of one of the ratchet teeth before the pressure is applied tothe shoe. For this purpose each pair of pawls is mounted on an eccentric46 and these eccentrics are connected by crank arms 48 and links 50 to arod 52 which extends upwardly through a thimble 54 slidingly mounted onthe rod and loosely supported by a plate 56 which is carried by thesleeve 26. Between the thimble 54 and a collar 58 fast on the upper endof the rod 52 is a spring 60. Below the thimble 54 is a collar 62 whichis fast on the rod 52 and upon which the thimble rests when the partsare in starting positions. It will thus be seen that the sleeve 26 inits upward movement acts through the spring and the rod 52 to turn theeccentrics 46 and thus to lift the several pawls 42. As more fullydisclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,882,667, the arrangement is furthersuch that the eccentrics are not turned to any substantial extent untilafter the shoe rest has been carried into engagement with the shoe.After such engagement, in the further upward movement of the sleeve 26whereby the spring 28 is compressed, the eccentrics are operated to liftthe pawls and thus to insure that one of them will be carried intoholding relation to one of the ratchet teeth, the eccentrics beingturned to such positions that the one that acts on the holding pawlserves positively to prevent any downward movement of the pawl inresponse to the pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest. The shoe restsupport is accordingly locked against any downward movement in responseto the pressure applied to the shoe.

For purposes of this invention the shoe rest A comprises a large numberof small metal rods 64 arranged in parallel and contiguous relation toone another in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of theshoe with the upper ends of the rods directed toward the top of theforepart of the shoe, the lower ends of the rods resting upon a softrubber pad 66 which permits them to move lengthwise relatively to oneanother in response to pressure of the shoe on their upper ends and thusto conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.Mounted on the upper ends of the rods is a cap 67 of comparatively thinflexible leather which prevents direct contact of the rods with theshoe. The rods are com fined in a holder comprising an end plate 68secured by screws 70 to a block 72, and two side plates 74 whichinterlock with the plate 68 and are secured together by bolts 76. Theblock 72 serves as a support for the pad 66 and has a depending hollowstem 78 detachably mounted on the upper end of the rod 24, a pin 80 onthe rod being arranged to enter a slot in the stem to prevent the shoerest from turning. Portions of the plates 74 which are located fartherforwardly than the group of rods 64 are arranged in spaced relation toeach other, as shown in Fig. 3, spacing members 82 and 84 (Fig. 2) beingmounted on the bolts 76 between the plates. The lower spacing member 84is secured by a screw 86 to the block 72 and serves as a part of themeans for confining the pad 66. In the opposite faces of the plates 74are provided slots 88 (Fig. 3) which serve as guideways for a slide 90whereby clampin pressure is applied laterally to the group of rods 64.This slide is controlled by an eccentric 92 on a shaft 94 which ismounted in hearings in the plates 74 and as herein illustrated isoperated by a hand lever 96. It will be understood that when the shoerest is moved upwardly into engagement with the shoe the eccentric 92 isin such a position that the rods 64 are not under any substantialclamping pressure, so that they may yield relatively to one anotheragainst the resistance of the rubber pad 66 in response to the pressureof the shoe on their upper ends and may thus conform readily to thecontour of the shoe. Thereafter the rods are clamped together andagainst the sides of the holder by the action of the eccentric 92 on theslide 90, so as to maintain them in position to serve as a firm supportfor the shoe.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the clamping action of theslide on the rods, the latter are circular in cross-section and arearranged in rows with the rods of each row in staggered relation tothose of the next adjacent row or rows. It will be evident that with therods arranged in this manner they have a wedging action on one anotheras they are pressed together. As convenient means for maintaining therods in the relation disclosed, the holder is so constructed as toconfine the rods in a group having substantially the form of anequilateral triangle, the rods being arranged in rows parallel to thethree sides of the triangle, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be evident thata shoe rest of this form is well adapted for use at the toe-endportionof the shoe, the arrangement disclosed being such that the group of rodsis of comparatively narrow extent widthwise of the shoe near the end ofthe toe and increases in width toward the rear of the forepart. In theconstruction shown several rows of rods near one apex of the triangleare omitted, to provide an extended bearing for the slide 90 on thegroup of rods, but it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to this particular arrangement nor to a construction in whichthe clamping pressure is applied in the particular relation to the groupof rods herein illustrated.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the rubber pad 66 has anormally concave face for engaging the lower ends of the rods 64, asindicated by dotted lines at 98, the concavity extending both lengthwiseand laterally of the shoe and the rods 64, moreover, are ofsubstantially equal lengths, so that they present normally acorrespondingly concave shoe-supporting face toward the top of theforepart of the shoe. This decreases the amount of relative movement ofthe rods necessary to conform accurately to the contour of each shoe.

The manner of operation of the shoe rest mechanism will be readilyunderstood from the foregoing description. The operator first mounts alast with its shoe materials in the position determined by the pins 20,and thereafter the toe rest A is carried upwardly into engagement withthe shoe by the movement of the rod 24, this movement in a machine ofthe type illustrated being efiected automatically by power. In thisupward movement of the shoe rest the rods 64 by relative movement inresponse to pressure of the shoe on their upper ends adjust themselvesin conformity to the contour of the shoe. While the machine is at restthereafter the operator, by turning the eccentric 92, clamps the rods 64firmly together and against the sides of their holder, so as to preventthem from yielding relatively to the holder in response to pressuresubsequently applied on the bottom face of the shoe. In View of thefurther fact that the holder-supporting rod 24 is locked againstdownward movement by the pawl and ratchet mechanism, as hereinbeforedescribed, it will be evident that a substantially positive support isthus provided for the forepart of the shoe. In a machine of the typeillustrated insurance is accordingly afforded that the shoe will not bedisplaced relatively to the pins 20 by the pressure of the wipers l0thereon and that it will be firmly maintained in position to receive thepressure of the upperfastening means. Notwithstanding the substantiallypositive action of the shoe rest on the shoe and the heavy pressure thatmay be applied to the bottom of the shoe in the lasting operations,danger of damaging the upper by pressure of the shoe rest thereon isavoided by reason of the accurate conformity of the shoe rest to thecontour of the shoe and the resulting even distribution of the pressureof the shoe rest on the upper.

While the invention is thus illustrated as ap plied to a type of machinewhereby the shoe is maintained in a stationary position in the operationof the machine thereon, it will be evident that in respect to thecooperation between the shoe rest and the means for applying pressure onthe bottom of the shoe the invention is not limited in utility to anorganization of this particular character.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, saidshoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in a group incontiguous parallel relation to one another and. relatively movable inthat relation in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform tothe contour of the shoe.

2. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, saidshoe rest comprising a group of rods arranged in a plurality of rowswith an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, the rods beingrelatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe.

3. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged toextend heightwise of the shoe in substantially parallel relation to oneanother and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe in that relationto conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.

4. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged toextend heightwise of the shoe in substantially parallel relation to oneanother and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to thecontour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, said members beingarranged in contiguous relation to one another in a group extending bothlengthwise and laterally of the shoe.

5. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a group of members arranged in apiurality of regular rows extending both lengthwise and laterally of theshoe and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to thecontour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.

6. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a group of members arrangedsubstantially in the form of a triangle in a plurality of rows parallelto the sides of the triangle and extending both lengthwise and latera lyof the shoe, said members being relatively movable heightwise of theshoe to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe.

7. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a group of memberssubstantially circular in crosssection and arranged in contiguousrelation to one another in a plurality of regular rows with the membersof successive rows in staggered relation, said members being relativelymovable to conform to the contour of the shoe.

8. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged toextend lengthwise in the direction of the height of the shoe andrelatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the top ofthe forepart of the shoe, said rods being arranged in a group extendingboth lengthwise and laterally of the shoe.

9. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, saidshoe rest comprising a group of parallel rods arranged in contiguousrelation to one anotl er with an end of each rod directed toward theshoe upper, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform tothe contour of the shoe.

10. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rods arrangedwith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of theshoe and relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of theshoe, said group of rods being comparatively narrow widthwise of theshoe at that portion of the shoe rest which is nearest the toe end ofthe shoe and progressively increasing in width toward the rear of theforepart of the shoe.

11. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest arranged to support a shoe on the topof the forepart and comprising a plurality of parallel circular rodsarranged with an end of each rod directed to- Ward the shoe andrelatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe,said rods being arranged in a group having the form of a portion, atleast, of an equilateral triangle.

12. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rodssubstantially circular in cross-section and arranged in contiguousrelation to one another with an end to each rod directed toward the topof the forepart of the shoe, said rods being relatively movablelengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe and being arranged in aplurality of rows with the rods of successive rows in staggeredrelation.

13. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rodsarranged to extend lengthwise toward a shoe to support the shoe by theend faces thereof that are nearest the shoe and relatively movablelengthwise in sliding contact with one another to conform to the contourof the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, and aflexible cover interposed between said end faces of the rods and theshoe.

14. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe,said shoe rest comprising a plurality of substantially parallel rodsarranged in a group with an end of each rod directed toward the shoeupper, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to thecontour of the shoe, and a flexible cover interposed between the ends ofthe rods and the shoe.

15. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a group of parallel rodsarranged in a plurality of rows and extending lengthwise toward a shoeto support the shoe by the end faces thereof that are nearest the shoe,said rods being relatively movable lengthwise in sliding contact withone another to conform to the contour of the shoe in response topressure of the shoe upon them, and yieldable means arranged to act onthe end faces of said rods that are farthest from the shoe and againstthe resistance of which the rods are thus relatively movable.

16. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged toextend heightwise of the shoe in substantially parallel relation to oneanother and relatively movable heightwise of the shoe to conform to thecontour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and yieldable meansagainst the resistance of which said members are thus relativelymovable.

17. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in agroup extending both len thwise and laterally of the shoe and relativelymovable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top ofthe forepart of the shoe, and a yieldable pad against the resistance ofwhich said members are thus relatively movable.

18. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of substantiallyparallel rods arranged in a group extending both lengthwise andlaterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directed toward the top ofthe forepart of the shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwiseto conform to the contour of the shoe, and yieldable means arranged toact on the other ends of said rods and against the resistance of whichthey are thus relatively movable.

19. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallelrods arranged in a group in substantially contiguous relation to oneanother with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe, said rodsbeing relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of theshoe, and a rubber pad arranged to control the other ends of the rodsand against the resistance of which they are thus relatively movable.

20. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rodsarranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoewith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of theshoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to thecontour of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods laterally, and arubber pad confined in said holder for supporting the other ends of saidrods and against the resistance of which they are relatively movable.

21. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relativelymovable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of theshoe, and yieldable means against the resistance of which said membersare thus relatively movable, said members being arranged to presentnormally toward the shoe a concave shoe-pressing surface.

22. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods ofsubstantially equal lengths arranged in a group extending bothlengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end of each rod directedtoward the top of the forepart of the shoe, the rods being relativelymovable lengthwise to conform to the contour of the shoe, and ayieldable pad arranged to engage the other ends of said rods and againstthe resistance of which they are thus relatively movable, said pad beingformed to present a normally concave surface toward the ends of therods.

23. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest having different portions relatively yieldableheightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top of theforepart of the shoe, and means for rendering said different portionssubstantially positive in their action on the shoe after they haveconformed to said contour.

24. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe,said shoe rest comprising a group of members arranged in substantiallycontiguous relation to one another and relatively movable in thatrelation in response to pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to thecontour of the shoe, and means for holding said members against yield inresponse to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed tosaid contour.

25. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relativelymovable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of theshoe, and means for holding said members against yield in response topressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

26. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shot rest comprising a group of members of rigid materialrelatively movable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepartof the shoe, and means for securing said members in position to serve asa substantially positive support for the shoe after they have conformedto said contour.

2'7. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top ofthe forepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arrangedin contiguous relation to one another in a group extending bothlengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conformto the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, and means forclamping said members together to hold them in fixed relation to oneanother after they have conformed to said contour.

28. In a shoemachine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relativelymovable to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of theshoe, said members being so formed and arranged as to have a wedgingaction on one another in response to pressure applied laterally to thegroup of members, and means for applying such lateral pressure to clampthe members together after they have conformed to the contour of theshoe.

29. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe,said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in agroup with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, said rodsbeing relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of theshoe, and means for securing said rods against yield in response topressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to said contour.

30. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe,said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged incontiguous relation to one another with an end of each rod directedtoward the shoe upper, said rods being contour of the shoe, and meansfor clamping said rods together to hold them in fixed relation to oneanother after they have conformed to said contour.

31. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprisinga group of rods substantiallycircular in cross-section and arranged in contact with one another in aplurality of rows with the rods-of successive rows in staggered relationand with an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart ofthe shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform tothe contour of the shoe, and means for applying pressure laterally tosaid group of rods to clamp them against one another after they haveconformed to said contour.

32. In a shoe machine,a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe, saidshoe rest comprising a group of members arranged in substantiallyparallel relation to one another and relatively movable to conform tothe contour of the shoe, a holder for confining said members, and meansfor securing said members in fixed relation to one another and to saidholder to provide a sub stantially rigid support ior the shoe after theyhave conformed to said contour.

33; In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end ofeach rod directed toward the topof the forepart of the shoe, a holderfor confining said rods, the rods being movable relatively to oneanother and relatively to the holder to conform to the contour of theshoe, and means for clamping said rods against one another and againstthe holder to prevent them from moving relatively to the holder afterthey have conformed to said contour.

34. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the topof theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality ofrods substantiallycircular in cross-section and arranged in staggered relation to oneanother in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoewith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart ofthe'shoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being movablerelatively to one another and relatively to said holder to conform tothe contour of the shoe, and means for applying lateral pressure to saidgroup of rods to clamp them against one another and against the holderafter they have conformed to said contour.

35. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end ofeach rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holderfor said rods so constructed as to confine the group of rods in a formcorresponding substantially to a portion at least of a triangle, therods being movable relatively to' one another and relatively to saidholder to conform to the contour of the shoe, and means for applyingpressure laterally to said rods to clamp them against one another andagainst the holder after they have conformed to said contour.

36. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end ofeach rod directed toward the relatively movable lengthwise to conform tothetop of the forepart of the shoe, a holder for confining said rods,the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contourof the shoe, and mechanism comprising an eccentric rotatable to applylateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them together after theyhave conformed to said contour.

37. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe with an end ofeach rod directed toward the top of the forepart of the shoe, a holderfor confining said rods, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise toconform to the contour of the shoe, a slide in said holder movable toapply lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them against oneanother after they have conformed to said contour, and mechanism forimparting clamping movement to said slide.

38. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest comprising a plurality of membersrelatively movable to conform to the contour of a shoe, yieldable meansagainst the resistance of which said members are thus relativelymovable, and means for holding said members against yield in response topressure of the shoe thereon after they have con- 'ranged in a groupextending both-lengthwise formed to said contour.

39. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members relativelymovable heightwise of the shoe to conform to the contour of the top ofthe forepart of the shoe, yieldable means against the resistance ofwhich said members are thus relatively movable, and means for holdingsaid members against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereonafter they have conformed to said contour.

40. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arandlaterally of the shoe and relatively movable to conform to the contourof the top of the forepart of the shoe, a yieldable pad against -theresistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, and meansfor securing said 'forepart of the shoe, yieldable means against theresistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, a holderfor confining said members, and means for applying pressure to saidmembers to maintain them in fixed relation to one another and to saidholder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

42. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging the upper of a shoe,said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rods arranged in agroup with an end of each rod directed toward the shoe upper, the rodsbeing relatively movable lengthwise to conform to the contour of theshoe, yieidable means against the resistance of which the rods are thusrelatively movable, and means for securing said rods against yield inresponse to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed tosaid contour.

43. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rodsarranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoewith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of theshoe, the rods being relatively movable lengthwise to conform to thecontour of the shoe, a yieldable pad arranged to control the other endsof said rods and against the resistance of which they are thusrelatively movable, and means for clamping the rods together to holdthem in fixed relation to one another after they have conformed to thecontour of the shoe.

44. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rodsarranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoewith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of theshoe, a holder for confining said rods, the rods being movablerelatively to one another and relatively to said holder to conform tothe contour of the shoe, a yieldable pad against the resistance of whichthe rods are thus movable, and means for applying lateral pressure tothe group of rods to clamp them against one another and against theholder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

45. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of rods substantiallycircular in cross-section and arranged in contiguous relation to oneanother in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoewith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the forepart of theshoe, a holder for said rods constructed to maintain the group of rodsin a form corresponding substantially to a portion at least of anequilateral triangle, the rods being movable relatively to one an otherand relatively to said holder to conform to'thecontour of the shoe, arubber pad against the resistance of which the rods are thus movable,and mechanism for applying lateral pressure to the group of rods toclamp them against one another and against the holder after they haveconformed to the contour of the shoe.

46. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe 3 rest comprising a plurality of members arranged ina group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe andrelatively movable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon toconform to the contour of the top of the forepart 5- r} of the shoe, aholder for said members, means for preventing movement of said holder inresponse to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest, and means forsecuring said members against movement relatively to the holder inresponse to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed tothe contour of the shoe.

47. In a shoe machine, a shoe rest for engaging a shoe on the top of theforepart, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members of rigidmaterial arranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally ofthe shoe and relatively movable in response to pressure of the shoethereon to conform to the contour of the top of the forepart of theshoe, a holder for said members, means for preventing movement of saidholder in response to pressure of the shoe on the shoe rest, and meansfor clamping said members against one another and against the holder toserve as a substantially L positive support for the shoe after they haveconformed to the contour of the shoe.

48. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on ashoe with pressure on its bottom face, or" a shoe rest movable intoposition to support the shoe against said pressure, said shoe resthaving different portions relatively movable heightwise of the shoe inresponse to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour ofthe shoe, and means for holding said different portions against yield inresponse to pressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed tosaid contour.

49. In a shoe machine, the combination With means for operating on ashoe with pressure on its bottom face, of a shoe rest movable into position to support the shoe against said pressure, said shoe restcomprising a plurality of members arranged in a group extending bothlengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relatively movable heightwiseor" the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform tothe contour of the shoe, and means for holding said members againstyield hei htwise of the shoe after they have conformed to said contour.

50. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on ashoe with pressure on its bottom face, of a shoe rest movable intoposition to support the shoe against said pressure, said shoe restcomprising a plurality of members relatively movable heightwise of theshoe in response to pressure 1 the shoe thereon to conform to thecontour of tie shoe, a holder for said members, means for securing saidholder against movement in response to pressure or" the shoe on the shoerest, and means for securing said members against movement relatively tothe holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

51. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on theiorepart of a shoe with pressure on its bottom face, of a shoe restmovable into position to support the forepart of the shoe against saidpressure, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of members arranged in agroup extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoe and relativelymovable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon to conform to thecontour of the top of the forepart or the shoe, a holder for saidmembers relatively to which they are thus movable, means for lockingsaid holder against movement in response to pressure of the shoe on theshoe rest, and means for clamping said members against one another andagainst the holder to prevent them from moving relatively to the holderafter they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

52. In a shoe machine, the combination with means for operating on theforepart of a shoe with pressure on its bottom iace, or" a shoe restmovable into position to support the iorepart of the shoe against saidpressure, said shoe rest comprising a plurality of parallel rodsarranged in a group extending both lengthwise and laterally of the shoewith an end of each rod directed toward the top of the iorepart of theshoe, a holder for said rods, yieldable means in said holder against theresistance of which the rods are movable relatively to one another andrelatively to the holder in response to pressure of the shoe thereon toconform. to the contour of the top of the forepart of the shoe, meansfor locking said holder against movement in response to pressure of theshoe on the shoe rest, and means for clamping said rods against oneanother and against the holder to prevent them from moving relatively tothe holder after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

53. In a shoe machine, a group of members arranged in a plurality ofrows and relatively movable in response to pressure of a shoe thereon toconform to the conto .r of the shoe, a yieldable pad against theresistance of which said members are thus relatively movable, and meansfor securing the members against yield in response to pressure or" theshoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

54. In a shoe machine, a group of rods arranged in parallel contiguousrelation to one another in a plurality of rows, said rods beingrelatively movable in response to pressure of a shoe on one end of thegroup to conform to the contour of the shoe, a yieldable pad at theother end of the group against the resistance of which the rods are thusrelatively movable, and means for applying clamping pressure to the rodsto hold them against yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereonafter they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

55. In a shoe machine, a group or members relatively movable in responseto pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe,

said members bein so constructed and arranged as to have a wedgingaction on one another in response to pressure applied laterally to thegroup, and means for thus applying pressure to the members to hold themagainst yield in response to pressure of the shoe thereon they haveconformed to the contour of the shoe.

56. In a shoe machine, a group of rods substantially circular incross-section and arranged contiguous to one another in plurality ofrows with the rods of successive rows in staggered relation, said rodsbeing relatively movable lengthwise in response to pressure of a shoe onone end of the group to conform to the contour of the shoe, and meansfor applying lateral pressure to the group of rods to clamp them againstone another and to secure them against yield in response to pressure ofthe shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

57. In a shoe machine, the combination with shoe-positioning means, of agroup of members relatively movable in response to pressure of a shoethereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, a holder for said membersmovable to carry them into pressing relation to the shoe, means forsecuring said holder against reverse movement, and means for securingsaid members against yield relatively to the holder in response topressure of the shoe thereon after they have conformed to the contour ofthe shoe.

58. In a shoe machine, the combination with shoe-positioning means, of agroup of parallel rods arranged with one end of each rod directed towardthe shoe, said rods being relatively movable lengthwise in response topressure of the shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe, aholder movable to carry said rods into pressing relation to the shoe,means for locking said holder against reverse movement, and means forclamping said rods against one another and against the holder to preventthem from yielding in response to pressure or" the shoe thereon afterthey have conformed to the contour of the shoe.

FRED N. LA CHAPELLE.

